Evals of explanations of conformity

• Support for Informative Social Influence

  • Lucas et al asked students to give answers to mathematical problems that were easy or more difficult. They found that students were more likely to give the wrong answer when the questions were difficult rather than when they were easy
  • This shows that participants looked to others for answers because they had a desire to be right and in this ambiguous situation they don't know the answers themselves.
  • Therefore, this supports the role of isi in conformity which increases the validity of the explanatio.
• Support of Normative Social Influence

  • Asch found that on 12 critical trials there was approximately a 37% conformity rate to the wrong answer. Participants confirmed to the incorrect response given by the confederate even when the correct answer was obvious.
  • This suggest that participants conformed because they wanted to be part of the majority the participants had a desire to be liked and wanted to avoid being rejected.
  • Therefore, this supports the role of nsi in conformity which. Thus, increasing the validity of this explanation.
• Limitation of Normative Social Influence Is Individual Differences

  • Some individuals care more about being accepted by others and are more likely to be influenced by others and are more likely to be influenced by the majority and conform to be those who about being liked. Additionally, Shute found individuals external locus of control are more likely to conform as they believe the of behaviour lies externally and beyond their own control.
• Limitation of Normative Social Influence Is Individual Differences

  • Thus, the problem with the process model believes humans react to conformity in the same way. This is a key oversight because these personality related factors are key in determining the likelihood of conforming and factors that vary between individuals.
  • Therefore, individual differences are not accounted for rendering NSI explanation incomplete and reducing its validity
• Limitations; Social circumstances can affect conformity

  • Deutsch and Gerald found a 7x greater rate of conformity when the other group members belonged to the participants in groups (shared interest and identity) rather than an out group (different interest/identity)
  • Therefore, belonging to a certain group may have a greater influence on conformity than seeking approval from others.
  • This suggests that the dual process model may be an incomplete explanation of conformity because it cannot account for the role of social circumstances which reduces the validity.